Puerto de las Estacas de Trueba
Spain, europe
14.1 km
1,157 m
hard
Year-round
Alright, adventure-seekers, listen up! We're heading to Puerto de las Estacas de Trueba, a mountain pass sitting pretty at 1,157m (3,795ft) on the border of Cantabria and Castile and Leon in northern Spain.
Nestled in the Cantabrian Mountains, this road is a bit rough around the edges with some seriously questionable asphalt. Keep your eyes peeled – it's got some major drop-offs that'll get your heart pumping! But hey, the views from the top are totally worth it, especially that killer panorama to the north. The pass is generally open year-round, but winter can throw a wrench in things with occasional closures due to weather.
You've got a couple of choices to conquer this beauty. Option one: start in Vega de Pas on the CA-631 for a 14.1 km climb, gaining 807 meters with a 5.72% average gradient. It's a leg burner! Or, take the BU-570 from Espinosa de los Monteros, a longer 16.9 km route with a more mellow 2.34% average gradient, climbing 397 meters. Either way, you're in for a treat!
Road Details
- Country
- Spain
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 14.1 km
- Max Elevation
- 1,157 m
- Difficulty
- hard
Related Roads in europe
extremePunta di Santa Maria
🇮🇹 Italy
Okay, buckle up, adventure seekers! Today we're tackling Punta di Santa Maria, a killer mountain pass sitting pretty at 2,138 meters (that's over 7,000 feet!) in the Italian region of Liguria. Now, this isn't your average Sunday drive. The road? Think gravel, bumpy, and narrow with hairpin turns that'll test your skills. It's an old military road, so expect a rugged, unpaved surface, and be warned, the combo of loamy and grassy terrain can get super slippery in the wet. Oh, and plan your trip carefully – this bad boy's usually snowed in from September to June! Did I mention the Ceresole Tunnel nearby? Supposedly, it's the steepest tunnel in the Italian Alps. Get ready for some incredible views.
moderateWhere is Belvédère du Cirque du Mont-Viso?
🇫🇷 France
Okay, picture this: you're in the French Hautes-Alpes, practically straddling the Italian border in the gorgeous Queyras Regional Natural Park. You're headed for the Belvédère du Cirque du Mont-Viso, a natural viewpoint that's a staggering 2,147m (7,043ft) above sea level. This Route du Viso was born to give access to the Haut Guil valley and let tourists soak up the views of Mont Viso’s north face. The locals kicked things off way back in 1864, and then everyone chipped in: the government, the army, even Michelin got involved! It officially opened in 1931. Now, heads up: this road's up in the Cottian Alps, inside the Ristolas Mont-Viso National Nature Reserve, so winter usually shuts it down with heavy snow. The road to the top? Mostly paved, but expect some rough patches and gravel sections. It's a leg-burning 19.3km (12 miles) climb from Aiguilles, gaining 676 meters. The average gradient is a gentle 3.5%, but don't be fooled, there are ramps of up to 11.5%! Expect some killer switchbacks, false flats, and occasional flat stretches to catch your breath. The views? Absolutely worth it. There's even a small parking lot at the top to reward your efforts. Mountain bikers, this climb is calling your name!
hardRefugi de la Pleta del Prat
🇪🇸 Spain
Refugi de la Pleta del Prat is a high mountain refuge at an elevation of 1.720m (5,643ft) above the sea level, located in the comarca of the Pallars Sobirà in Catalonia, Spain. Located in the Alt Pirineu Natural Park, near the French border, the road to the refuge is asphalted but pretty narrow (especially the last 3km). Its many twists, turns and narrows can pose a challenge to even the most experienced drivers. This route is not recommended if your passengers are prone to car sickness. Expect a road pretty steep. Starting from Tavascan, the ascent is 10.2 km long. Over this distance the elevation gain is 592 meters. The average gradient is 5.80%. South the refuge, a ski-station service road climbs up to 2.198m (7,211ft) above the sea level, to the Tavascan station chairlift. The slope is very steep, consists of loose stones and becomes even steeper and rocky in the upper part. This trail can be done only a very narrow time-frame in the summer (end of August). The wind is usually quite strong at mountain areas. High winds blow here all year long. Pic: Pensat en 360, Barcelona Cerro de Los Murciélagos Embark on a journey like never before! Navigate through our to discover the most spectacular roads of the world Drive Us to Your Road! With over 13,000 roads cataloged, we're always on the lookout for unique routes. Know of a road that deserves to be featured? Click to share your suggestion, and we may add it to dangerousroads.org.
hardHow long is Lefortovo Tunnel?
🌍 Russia
Okay, buckle up for a wild ride through the Lefortovo Tunnel in Moscow! You'll find this mega-tunnel chilling in Lefortovo, a suburb of Russia's massive capital. This isn't your average underpass; clocking in at 3.2 kilometers (that's 2 miles!), it's one of the longest city tunnels in Europe. Imagine cruising along in one of its seven lanes (3 going north, 4 heading south)—smooth sailing, right? Well, hold that thought. This tunnel has a dark side. They don't call it "The Tunnel of Death" for nothing! It's notorious for accidents, and let me tell you, the internet is full of videos showing some serious carnage caught on the tunnel's security cameras. What's the deal? Turns out, the tunnel leaks! Yep, water seeps through the roof and onto the road, which turns into an ice rink in the brutal Moscow winters. The result is a slippery situation that sends cars spinning. So, while you're marveling at the engineering, remember to drive carefully!